Mayor Oscar Leeser and El Paso's state legislative delegation stood with Texas House Speaker Joe Straus and other big city mayors on Monday to advocate an amendment to the Texas constitution that would set aside $2 billion for water conservation projects.

Leeser was hosting the first Big City Mayors Conference, which consisted of several mayors from around the state, at the TecH2O Center on the 10700 block of Montana Avenue.

Straus said the 160 members of the Texas delegation are in favor of Proposition 6, which would establish a State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), because it would be an investment in Texas' future.

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The proposition is on the Nov. 5 ballot, but Straus feels that not enough people know what it is about. Early voting continues this week.

"These constitutional amendments don't trend on Twitter and they are not big for TV ratings," Straus said. "But they are important for the future of this state."

If Proposition 6 passes, the $2 billion will come from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund and it will be given to projects identified by the State Water Plan.

Many areas of Texas are in a drought, which makes water conservation a top priority for lawmakers, Straus said.

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"Some cities are worse than others, but all of Texas has been in some form of a drought over the last several years," Straus said. "It is very important for economical development and for our future that Proposition 6 passes."

Straus said the proposition is being supported by big city organizations and farming communities.

Leeser said the proposition is important to El Paso's next generation.

El Paso Water Utilities President John Balliew talks with Texas Speaker of the House Je Straus inside the El Paso Desalination Plant during a meeting with Texas mayors to drum up support for Proposition 6 on the November 5th ballot. (Mark Lambie / El Paso Times)

"We're looking at the future for our children and grandchildren," Leeser said. "If we want to make an impact 40 to 50 years from now, we need to start doing it today."

Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, said El Paso would benefit from water conservation projects because of the dry Rio Grande and shrinking basins.

"El Paso knows more than anyone else in the state how important it is to save water, especially during a drought," Rodriguez said. "This is a state funded State Water Plan that is being modeled around the country but is new to the state of Texas. It will take the money from the rainy day fund, but I cannot see a better emergency the state-wide on-going drought."